The top legal advisor to New York City Mayor Eric Adams resigned suddenly over the weekend. This is the latest sign that the Democrat administration faces instability as it deals with multiple federal investigations.
City Hall announced Lisa Zornberg’s departure on Saturday evening. She advised Adams and city officials for more than a year on legal strategy and answered legal questions in the media on his behalf. She was not Adams’ lawyer.
It has been an honor to serve the city. My resignation is effective immediately, as I’ve concluded that I cannot serve my position effectively any longer. In a letter of resignation to Adams that was only three sentences long, Zornberg wrote: “I wish you the very best.”
Federal investigators seized the phones of several members of Mayor Eric Adams’s inner circle, including the Chief of the New York City Police Department, who resigned on Thursday.
Zornberg is a former federal prosecution in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who now leads some of the investigations on the Adams administration. He wasn’t among the officials whose phones were seized.
Edward Caban, the police commissioner, resigned in protest of the “distractions” caused by the news about the investigations.
The subjects of these investigations have not been disclosed by federal authorities. The FBI also seized the phones of the director of public schools, a deputy mayor, and two advisers who advised Adams on safety issues.
Investigators confiscated devices from Caban’s twin brother James Caban. James Caban is a former NYPD Sergeant who runs a nightclub security company. The searches also included Terence Banks who is the younger brother of Phil Banks and David Banks. Phil Banks is Adams’ top deputy for public safety.
Federal authorities have searched the homes of two of Adams’ top fundraisers and also seized his phones in separate investigations.
Adams has denied knowing of any wrongdoing.
Adams announced that an interim replacement would be announced within the next few days.
Adams stated in a press release, “We appreciate the work Lisa has done for our administration, and more importantly, for the city, over the last 13 months. We don’t expect anyone in these jobs to remain there forever. They are tough. We wish Lisa the best of luck in her future endeavors.”
